Collapsible pedestal construction for stools and the like



July 26, 1966 H. E. NICKOLAISEN ,4

COLLAPSIBLE PEDESTAL CONSTRUCTION FOR STOOLS AND THE LIKE Filed 001.. 5, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. HYRUM E. NICKOLA \SEN zm'am, WW 65 am:

ATTOEN EYE:

July 26, 1966 H. E. NICKOLAISEN 3,262,406

COLLAPSIBLE PEDESTAL CONSTRUCTION FOR STOOLS AND THE LIKE Filed Oct. 5, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I I IN VENTOR 28 62 I 62 so HYRUM E- NICKOLAISEN 36 H BY /8 r QMJZZZM, W,

78 65 X8 um/Lt TIL-:5:- E QTTOIZNEYS United States Patent "ice s 262 406 COLLAPSIBLE PEDESTAI. CONSTRUCTION FOR STOOLS AND THE LIKE Hyrum E. Nickolaiseu, 11511 Barman St., Culver City.,

Calif.

Filed Oct. 5, 1964, set. No. 401,412 24' Claims. (Cl. 108-157) My invention relates to furniture pedestals and, more particularly, to an improved collapsible pedestal construction for stools and the like.

Although various collapsible pedestal designs have been known and used for years, when applied to furniture pedestals for collapsible stools, chairs and tables where relatively great vertical strength is required, they have to date been heavy and bulky, relatively difficult to collapse and transport, and expensive to manufacture. Moreover, in order for such collapsible pedestal designs to provide adequate lateral support, they have required numerous cross pieces and, in general, included at least four legs.

In view of the foregoing, it is a general object of my invetnion to provide an improved furniture pedestal construction.

It is another object of my invention to provide an improved lightweight, yet extremely strong and sturdy collapsible furniture pedestal.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a pedestal of the foregoing type which is simple in design and inexpensive to manufacture.

Another object of my invention is to provide a lightweight, strong, single-unit furniture pedestal which is collapsible to a compact package for easy transportation and expandable to a locked, vertical support position.

A further object of my invention is to provide a collapsible pedestal of the foregoing type which includes only three legs and a single vertical support column or spindle.

It is still another object of my invention to provide an improved lightweight, easily transportable collapsible stool.

It is a still further and more specific object of my invention to provide an inexpensive, lightweight, extremely strong and sturdy stool employing a three-legged singlecolumn pedestal unit which is collapsible to a compact package for easy transportation and expandable to a locked vertical support position.

The foregoing as well as other objects and advantages of my invention may be more clearly understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered with the drawings which illustrates, by way of example only, a preferred embodiment of a threelegged stool employing the features of my collapsible pedestal construction.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a collapsible threelegged stool in an unfolded position, said stool embodying the features of my invention;

FIGURE 2 is a side view of the three-legged stool in a folded or collapsed position with the seat removed;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary side view of the threelegged stool partially in section to illustrate the inner structure of the stoo-ls spindle and leg connector, the spindle being in a lower vertical position with its lower end seated within an opening in the leg connector;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary side view similar to FIG- URE 3 with the spindle in an upper or raised vertical position, said position being an intermediate step in the folding and unfolding of the stool;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary side view similar to FIG- URE 3 with the spindle in a folded, lower position below. the leg support of the stool;

FIGURES 6 and 7 are sectional top views of the leg support along lines 6-6 and 77 in FIGURES 3 and 3,262,406 Patented July 26, 1966 4, respectively, and illustrate the manner in which the legs of the stool, when in an unfolded position, provide an opening for receiving the lower end of the stool spindle which in turn locks the legs in the unfolded position;

FIGURE 8 is a sectional top View of the leg support with the stool legs in a folded position taken along the lines 88 in FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary side view of the leg connector of the pedestal illustrating the top and bottom plates thereof and the connection of spindle thereto.

In the drawing, the stool is represented generally by the numeral 10 and includes a swivel seat 11 supported on top of a collapsible pedestal 12. The pedestal 12 is constructed in accordance with the features of my invention and includes a 'seat-supportlng spindle 14 and legs 16, 18 and 20 connected to and supported at their upper ends by a leg connector 22.

In FIGURE 1, the stool 10 is shown in a locked, unfolded position with the legs 16, 18 and 20 spaced equally from each other to provide both lateral and vertical support for an occupant of the stool seat 11. In FIGURE 2, the stool 10 is shown in a folded or collapsed position with the seat 11 removed from the pedestal 12.

Briefly, to allow the stool to be folded and unfolded between the positions illustrated in FIGURES l and 2, the leg 16 is fixedly connected to the leg connector 22. The legs 18 and 20 are pivotally connected at their upper ends to the leg connector to pivot between the unfolded position and folded positions parallel to and on opposite sides of the fixed leg 16. The spindle 14 is swingably hinged to the leg connector 22 for movement between a position below the leg connector and a generally vertical position with a lower end of the spindle seated within a top hole in the leg connector and engaging the ends of the legs 16, 18 and 20 to lock the legs in the unfolded position. 1

More particularly, as best illustratedin FIGURES 6, 7 and 8, the leg connector 22 comprises a generally horizontal top plate 24, a fiat, generally triangular bottom plate 26 centrally located below the top plate and a pair of flat, leg movement stop members 28 and 30. The top plate 24 has a central hole 32 therethrough and a slot 34 extending radially from the central hole to the outside of the top plate while the bottom plate 26 includes a generally rectangular outward projection 36 from its side 38 and a side slot 40 aligned with the radial slot 30 in the top plate and bisecting the projection 36 and side 38. The leg s'top members 28 and 30 are connected to the bottom of the top plate 24'over the projection 36 with inner sides extending along-the side 38 of the bottom plate and a separation therebetween aligned with the slots 34 and 40.

The legs v16, 18 and 20 are ofan inverted, generally L-s'hape and as represented in FIGURES 1, 2 and 3, have substantially horizontal top portions 42, 44 and 46 and generally vertical rnain leg portions 48, 50 and 52 extending downwardly and outwardly from associated top portions. Preferably, the legs 16, 18 and 20 are formed of a lightweight yet sturdy metal, such as alu minum, with the main leg portions being hollow and having rubber or plastic caps 54 over their lower ends for contacting and resting upon the floor.

The horizontal top portions 42, 44 and 46 of the stool legs are secured by screws 56, 5'8 and 60 respectively, between the top and bottom plates 24 and 26 with the end of each top portion lying over a different vertex of the triangular bottom plate (see FIGURE 7). In this regard, the screws are spaced equidistant from each other around the central hole 3-2, in the top plate 24, and each extend vertically through aligned holes in the top plate, a top portion of a leg, a washer or spacer 62, and screw into an aligned threaded hole in the bot- 1 elongated slot 76 and the axis of the spindle 14.

tom plate. Further, the screw 56 is tightened to fixedly position the top portion 42 of the leg v16 between the top and bottom plates in line with the radial side slots 34 and 40. The screws 58 and 60, on the other hand, are adapted to allow pivotal movement of the legs 18 and 20 thereabout. To this end, the screws 58 and 60 pass through washers 63 between the bottom of the top plate 24 and the top portions 44 and 46 of the legs 18 and 20. The washers 63, together with the washers 62, provide friction bearing surfaces over which the top portions 44 and 4-6 may pivot. More particularly, the legs 18 and 20 are adapted to pivotal movement between the folded position illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 8 with the legs 18 and 20 parallel to and on opposite sides of the leg 16, and the unfolded position illustrated in FIGURES l and 3 through 7 with the legs 18 and 20 equidistant from each other and the leg 16, and the sides of the top portions 44 and 46 engaging the angled inner sides of the stop members 28 and 30 to limit further pivotal movement of the legs.

As best shown in FIGURE 7, when the legs 18 and 20 are in the unfolded position, the inner ends of the top portions 42, 4'4 and 46 of the legs face radially inward toward the central hole 32 and define a spindlereceiving opening 64 in line therewith. To this end, the inner ends of the leg top portions are curved as illustrated.

The spindle 14 is generally cylindrical in shape and is adapted to fit into the opening 64 through the hole 32 with a surrounding collar 66 connected to the spindle resting atop the .top plate 24 to provide lateral as well as vertical support for the spindle. In this position, the lower end of the spindle 14 engages the curved inner ends of the leg top portions forming the opening 64 to lock the legs in the unfolded position thereby providing sturdy vertical support for the seat 11 atop the spindle (see FIGURES 3 and 6).

In order to reduce the overall weight of the pedesta construction 12 to a minimum, the spindle 14 is preferably of the construction illustrated in FIGURE 3 and is formed of a hollow shaft 68 of lightweight metal, such as aluminum. A solid cylindrical metal stub 70 is fitted tightly through the collar 66 into the lower open end of the shaft. The stub 70 is dimensioned to just fit through the hole 32 in the top plate 24 such that its lower end engages the bottom plate with the collar 66 resting on the top plate.

Further, in order to complete my compact, single-unit pedestal construction, the spindle 14 is swingably connected to the leg connector 22. To this end, a pivot arm 72 is connected to the stub 70 and extends tightly through a diametric slot '74 in the lower end of the stub (see FIGURE 6). The pivot arm 72 is generally flat and adapted to ride within the aligned radial slots 34 and 40 in the top and bottom plates and includes an elongated slot 76 parallel to the longitudinal axis of the spindle 14. A lateral pin 78 extends across the slot 40 -in the projection 36 and passes through the elongated slot 76 to connect the pivot arm and hence the spindle to the leg connector 22. The lateral distance between the pin 78 and the center of the hole 3-2 is substantially equal to the lateral distance between the In this manner, the spindle 14 is slidably hinged to the leg connector 22 for swinging movement bet-ween a position below the leg support (shown in FIGURES 2 and and an upper vertical position with the lower end of the stub 70 above and aligned with the hole 32 (see FIGURE 4). Further, the pin and elongated slot combination allows for vertical movement of the spindle 14 between its upper vertical position (see FIGURE 4) to a lower vertical position illustrated in FIGURE 3 with the stub 70 passing through the hole 352 and the opening 64 to rest upon the bottom plate 26 with the collar 68 resting on the top plate 24. In the lower vertical position the stub 70 engages the curved inner ends of the top portions of the stool legs to prevent movement thereof and to lock the stool legs in the unfolded position.

As previously indicated, when the pedestal 12 is locked in the unfolded position with the legs equidistant from each other it provides extremely sturdy, vertical and lateral support for any member connected to or resting on top of the spindle. In the illustrated embodiment of my invention, the stool seat 11 is stationed on top of the spindle 14 with a shaft 80 connected to the underside of the stool seat 11 and seated within the upper open end of the spindle. Preferably, the stool seat 11 is adapted for rotation about the shaft 80 to allow the occupant of the stool seat 11 to turn freely about the spindle. To accomplish this, a roller bearing assembly 82 is connected between the top of the shaft 80 and the underneath side of the stool seat 11 and comprises, by way of example, upper and lower plates 84 and 86 having opposing annular recesses 88 housing a plurality of ball bearings 90. The upper plate 84 is secured to the underside of the seat while the lower plate 86 is connected to the shaft 88.

To collapse the stool 10 for easy transportation, the previously described unfolding steps are simply reversed.

First, the stool seat 11 is removed from the upper end of the spindle 14. The spindle 14 is then moved vertically from its lower vertical position to its upper vertical position and swung downward to the lower position below the leg connector 22. The removal of the stub 70 from the opening 64 and central hole 32 unlocks the legs 18 and 20 which may then be pivoted to the folded position adjacent the leg 16. In the folded position, the pedestal 12 may be carried in one hand by gripping the three stool legs or simply by grasping the leg connector 22.

Since my pedestal 12 is formed from a lightweight metal with the legs and spindle being of a hollow construction, it is extremely lightweight and easy to carry. In practice, such a pedestal construction including a stool seat for providing sitting at a normal chair height, weighs less than four pounds.

From the foregoing, it should be apparent that my invention provides an improved lightweight, yet extremely strong, pedestal of simple design and inexpensive manufacture which easily collapses to a compact package and expands to a locked unfolded position to provide both sturdy vertical and lateral sup ort.

In the foregoign specification, a specific example of my pedestal construction has been described as an integral part of a novel collapsible stool assembly. Please bear in mind, however, that my collapsible pedestal construction is also useful in supporting other objects such as pieces of furniture, relatively heavy movie screens, and cameras. Further, the legs and spindle of my pedestal construction may be made in varying lengths for different uses and may be provided with telescopic means for selectively lengthening and shortening to individual tastes and use. Moreover, although a specific example of my invention has been described, changes and modifications may occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of my invention. I therefore intend that my invention be limited in scope only by the following claims.

I claim:

1. A collapsible furniture pedestal, comprising:

leg-connector means;

a plurality of legs having top portions; means pivotally connecting said legs to said leg-connector means for movement about different vertical axes with said top portions cooperatively defining a spindle-receiving opening;

and a spindle for mounting in a generally vertical position with an end of said spindle seated in said opening to prevent further pivotal movement of said legs.

and a spindle slidably hinged 2. A collapsible furniture pedestal, comprising:

leg-connector means;

a plurality of legs having top portions; means pivotally connecting said legs to said leg-connector means for movement about different vertical axes with ends of said top portions cooperatively defining a spindlereceiving opening;

and a spindle swingably connected to said leg-connector means for swinging movement between a position below said leg-connector to a generally vertical position with an end of said spindle seated in said opening and engaging said ends of said top portions to prevent further pivotal movement of said legs.

3. A collapsible furniture pedestal, comprising:

leg-connector means;

a plurality of legs each having a generally lateral top portion pivotally connected to said leg-connector mean-s to allow pivotal movement of said legs about different generally vertical axes with ends of said top portions defining a spindle-receiving opening when extending inward generally toward each other;

and a spindle swingably connected to said leg-connector means for rotation about a generally horizontal axis from below said connector means to a generally vertical position above said legs with an end of said spindle within said opening and engaging said ends of said top portions to prevent further pivotal movement of said legs.

4. A collapsible furniture pedestal, comprising:

a leg-connector means;

a plurality of legs each having a generally lateral top portion pivotally connected to said leg-connector means to allow pivotal movement of said legs about different generally vertical axes with ends of said top portions cooperatively defining a spindle-receiving opening;

means for swinging movement between a position below said leg-connector means and an upper generally vertical position above said leg-connector means with an end of the spindle aligned with said opening, and for sliding vertical movement between said upper gen-erally vertical position and a lower generally vertical position with said spindle seated in said opening and engaging said ends of said top portions of said legs to prevent pivotal movement of said legs.

5. A collapsible furniture pedestal,-comprising:

leg-connector means;

a plurality of legs each having a generally lateral top portion pivotally coupled to said leg-connector means to allow pivotal movement of said legs about different generally vertical axes with ends of said top portions defining a spindle-receiving opening when extending inward generally toward each other;

a spindle swingably connectedto said leg-connector means for rotation about a generally horizontal axis from below said connector means to a generally vertical position above said legs with an end of said spindle within said opening and engaging said ends of said top portions to prevent further pivotal movement of said legs;

and means for supporting said spindle within said opening.

6. A collapsible furniture pedestal, comprising:

leg-connector means;

a plurality of inverted, generally L-shaped legs having top portions pivotallyconnected to said leg-connector means to allow pivotal movement of said legs about different generally vertical axes between a folded position and an unfolded position, in said folded position said legs being adjacent each other, in said unfolded position said legs being spaced from each other to support said leg-connector means above the to said leg-connector 4 floor and the ends of said top portions cooperatively defining a spindle-receiving opening;

and a spindle swingably connected to said leg-connector means for rotation about a generally horizontal axis from below said leg-connector means to a generally vertical position above said legs with an end of said spindle in said opening and engaging said ends of said top portions to lock said legs in said unfolded position.

7. A collapsible furniture pedestal, comprising:

leg-connector means;

a plurality of inverted, generally L-shaped legs having top portions pivotally connected to said leg-connector means to allow pivotal movement of said legs about different generally vertical axes between a folded position and an unfolded position, in said folded position said legs being adjacent each other and in said unfolded position said legs being spaced from each other to support said leg-support means above the floor and ends of said top portions cooperatively defining a spindle-receiving opening; 7

a spindle swingably connected to said leg-connector means for rotation about a generally horizontal axis from below said leg-connector means to a generally vertical position above said legs with an end of said spindle in said opening and engaging said ends of said top portions to lock said legs in said unfolded position;

and means for supporting said spindle within said open- 8. A collapsible furniture pedestal, comprising:

leg-connector means;

a plurality of inverted, generally L-shaped legs having top portions pivotally connected to said leg-connector means to allow pivotal movement of said legs about different generally vertical axes between a folded position and an unfolded position, in said folded position said legs being adjacent each other and in said unfolded position said legs being spaced from each other to support said leg-connector means above the floor and ends of said top portions cooperatively defining a spindle-receiving opening;

' pivotal movement stop means connected to said legconnector means and engaging said legs in said unfolded position to limit further pivot-a1 movement of said legs; I

and a spindle swingably connected to said leg-connector means for rotation about a generally horizontal axis from below said leg-connector means to a generally vertical position above said legs with an end of said spindle in said opening and engaging said ends of said top portions to lock said legs in said unfolded position.

9. A collapsible stool, comprising:

leg-connector means;

a plurality of inverted, generally L-shaped legs having top portions pivotally connected to said leg-connector means to allow pivotal movement of said legs about different generally vertical axes between a folded position and an unfolded position, in said folded position said legs being adjacent each other and in said unfolded position said legs being spaced from each other to support said leg-connector means above the floor and ends of said top portions cooperatively defining a spindle-receiving opening;

a spindle swingably connected to said leg-connector means for rotation about a generally horizontal axis from below said leg-connector means to a generally vertical position above said legs with an end of said spindle in said opening and engaging said ends of said top portions to lock said legs in said unfolded position;

and a seat for mounting on top of said spindle when in said vertical position.

10. A collapsible furniture pedestal, comprising: leg-connector means; a plurality of inverted, generally L-shaped legs having top portions pivotally connected to said leg-connector means to allow pivotal movement of said legs about different generally vertical axes between a folded position and an unfolded position, in said folded position said legs being adjacent each other and in said unfolded position said legs being spaced from each other to support said leg-connector means above the floor and the ends of said top portions cooperatively defining a spindle-receiving opening;

and a spindle slidably hinged to said leg-connector means for swinging movement between a position below said leg-connector means to a generally vertical upper position over said leg-connector means with said spindle aligned with said opening, and for vertical sliding movement between said upper position and a generally vertical lower position with a lower end of said spindle seated in said opening and engaging said ends of said top portions of said legs to lock said legs in said unfolded position.

11. A collapsible furniture pedestal, comprising: leg-connector means;

a plurality of inverted, generally L-shaped legs having top portions pivotally connected to said leg-connector means to allow pivotal movement of said legs about different generally vertical axes between a folded position and an unfolded position, in said folded position said legs being adjacent each other and in said unfolded position said legs being spaced from each other to support said leg-support means above the floor and ends of said top portions cooperatively defining a spindle-receiving opening;

spindle slidably hinged to said leg-connector means for swinging movement between a position below said leg-connector means to a generally vertical upper position over said leg-connector means with said spindle aligned with said opening and for vertical movement between said upper position and a generally vertical lower position with a lower end of said spindle in said opening and engaging said ends of said top portions to lock said legs in said unfolded position;

and collar m ans aro nd said spindle for resting atop said leg-connector means when said spindle is in said lower vertical position to support said spindle in said lower vertical position.

12. A collapsible furniture pedestal, comprising: leg-connector means; a plurality of inverted, generally L-shaped legs having top portions pivotally connected to said leg-connector means to allow pivotal movement of said legs about different generally vertical axes between a folded position and an unfolded position, in said folded position said legs being adjacent each other and in said unfolded position said legs being spaced from each other to support said leg-support means above the floor and ends of said top portions cooperatively defining a spindle-receiving opening;

pivotal movement stop means connected to said legconnector means and engaging said legs when in said unfolded position to limit pivotal movement of said legs;

and a spindle slidably hinged to said leg-connector means for swinging movement between a position below said leg-connector means to a generally vertical upper position over said leg-connector means with said spindle aligned with said opening, and for vertical movement between said upper position and a generally vertical lower position with a lower end of said spindle in said opening and engaging said ends of said top portions of said legs to lock said legs in said unfolded position.

13. A collapsible furniture pedestal, comprising:

leg-connector means;

a plurality of inverted, generally L-shaped legs having top portions pivotally connected to said leg-connector means to allow pivotal movement of said legs about different generally vertical axes between a folded position and an unfolded position, in said folded position said legs being adjacent each other and in said unfolded position said legs being spaced from each other to support said leg-support means above the floor and ends of said top portions cooperatively defining a spindle-receiving opening;

pivotal movement stop means connected to said legconnector means and engaging said legs when in said unfolded position to limit pivotal movement of said legs;

a spindle slidably hinged to said leg-connector means for swinging movement between a position below said leg-connector means to a generally vertical upper position over said leg-connector means with said spindle aligned with said opening, and for vertical movement between said upper position and a genposition;

and collar means around said spindle for resting atop said leg-connector means when said spindle is in said lower vertical position to support said spindle in said lower vertical position.

14. A collapsible furniture pedestal, comprising:

leg-connector means; first, second and third inverted, generally L-shaped legs, each having a generally horizontal top portion, said first leg being fixedly connected to said leg-support means and the top portions of said second and'third legs being pivotally connected to said leg-connector means at points spaced from each other and the top portion of said first leg to allow pivotal movement of said second and third legs between a folded position and an unfolded position, in said folded position said second and third legs being on opposite sides adjacent said first leg and in said unfolded position said legs being spaced from each other to support said leg-connector means above the floor and ends of said top portions facing radially inward to define a a spindle-receiving opening;

and a spindle swingable connected to said leg-connector means for swinging movement from below said legconnector means to a generally vertical position above said legs with an end of said spindle in said opening and engaging said ends of said top portions of said legs to lock said legs in said unfolded position.

15. The collapsible pedestal of claim 14 including means for supporting said spindle in said generally vertical position.

16; A collapsible furniture pedestal, comprising:

leg-connector means;

first, second and third inverted, generally L-shaped legs,

each having a generally horizontal top portion, staid first leg being fixedly connected to said leg-connector means and the top portions of said second and third legs pivotally connected to said leg-connector means at points spaced from each other and the top portion of said first leg to allow pivotal movement of said second and third legs about different generally verti cal axes between a folded position and an unfolded position, in said folded position said second and third legs being on opposite sides of and adjacent said first leg and in said unfolded position said legs being spaced equidistant from each other to support said leg-support means above the floor and ends of said top portions facing radially inward to define a spindlerecelving opening;

pivotal movement stop means connected to said legconnector means and engaging said legs in said unfolded position to limit pivotal movement of said legs beyond said unfolded position;

and a spindle swingably connected to said leg-connector means for swinging movement from below said legconnector means to a generally vertical position above said legs with an end of said spindle in said opening and engaging said ends of said top portions of said legs to lock said legs in said unfolded position.

17. A collapsible furniture pedestal, comprising:

leg-connector means;

first, second and third inverted, generally L-shaped legs, each having a generally horizontal top portion, said first leg being fixedly connected to said leg-connector means and the top portions of saidsecond and third legs pivotally connected to said leg-connector means at points spaced from each other and the top portion of said first leg to allow pivotal movement of said second and third legs between a folded position and an unfolded position, in said folded position said second and third legs being on opposite sides of and adjacent said first leg and in said unfolded position said legs being spaced from each other to support said leg-support means above the floor and ends of said top portions facing radially inward to define a spindle-receiving opening;

and a spindle slidably hinged to said leg-connector means for swinging movement between a position below said leg-connector means and a generally vertical upper position over said leg-connector means with said spindle aligned with said opening, and for vertical sliding movement between said upper position and a generally vertical lower position with the lower end of said spindle in said opening to lock said legs in said unfolded position.

18. A collapsible furniture pedestal, comprising:

leg-connector means including a generally horizontal top plate having a central hole therethrough and a radial slot from said hole to the outside of said top plate and a generally horizontal bottom plate having a side slot aligned with said radial slot in said top plate;

first, second and third legs having generally horizontal top portions located between said top and bottom plates and generally vertical main leg portions extending downwardly and outwardly from said top portions;

generally vertical pin means spaced from each other around said central hole and between said top and bottom plates and extending through said top portions of said legs to fixedly connect said bottom plate to said top plate with said radial and side slots aligned with each other, said pin means further fixedly connecting said first leg to said leg-connector means and pivotally connecting said second and third legs to said connector means for pivotal movement about said pin means between a folded position and an unfolded position, in said folded position said second and third legs being on opposite sides of and adjacent said first leg and in said unfolded position said legs being spaced from each other to support said leg-connector means above the floor and ends of said top portions facing inwardly to define a spindlevreceiving opening;

a spindle;

a pivot arm connected to an end of said spindle and having an elongated slot therein;

a lateral pin extending across said radial slot in said lower plate and through said elongated slot in said pivot arm for pivotally connecting said spindle to said leg-connector means for swinging movement between a position below said leg-connector means and a generally vertical upper position over said legconnector means with said spindle aligned with said central hole and said opening, said lateral pin further lb connecting said spindle for vertical movement between said upper position and a generally vertical lower position with a lower end of said spindle in said hole and said opening to lock said legs in said unfolded position.

i 19. A collapsible furniture pedestal, comprising:

leg-connector means including a generally horizontal top plate having a central hole therethrough and a radial slot from said hole to the outside of said top plate and a generally horizontal bottom plate having a side slot alignedwith said radial slot in said top plate;

first, second and third legs having generally horizontal top portions located between said top and bottom plates and generally vertical main leg portions extending downwardly and outwardly from said top portions;

generally vertical pin means spaced equidistant from each other around said central hole and extending between said top and bottom plates through said top portions of said legs for fixedly connecting said bottom plate to said top plate with said radial and side slots aligned with each other and said first leg fixedly connected to said leg-connector means, said pin means further pivotally connecting said second and third legs to said' connector means for pivotal move- ,ment about said pin means between a folded position and an unfolded position, in said folded position said second and third legs being on opposite sides of and adjacent said first leg and in said unfolded position said legs being equally spaced from each other to support said leg-support means above the floor and inner ends of said top portions facing inward to define a spindle-receiving opening;

stop-plate means between said top and bottom plates for engaging sides of the top portions of said second and third legs when in said unfolded position to limit further pivotal movement'of said second and third legs beyond said unfolded position;

a spindle; T

a pivot arm connected toa-n end of said spindle and having an elongated slot therein;

and a lateral pin extending across said side slot in said lower plate and extending through said elongated slot in said pivot arm for pivotally connecting said spindle to said leg-connector means for swinging movement between a position below said leg-connector means and a generally vertical upper position over said leg-connector means with said spindle aligned with said central hole and said opening, and also for vertical movement between said upper position and a generally vertical lower position with a lower end of said spindle in said hole and said opening to lock said legs in said unfolded position.

20. The pedestal of claim 19 including collar means fixed to and around said spindle for resting atop said top plate when said spindle is in said lower vertical position.

21. A collapsible stool, comprising:

leg-connector means including a generally horizontal top plate having a central hole therethrough and a radial slot from said hole to the outside of said top plate and a generally horizontal bottom plate having a side slot aligned with said radial slot in said top plate;

'first, second and third legs having generally horizontal fixedly connecting said first leg to said leg-connector means and pivotally connecting said second and third legs to said connector means for pivotal movement about said pin means between a folded position and an unfolded position, in said folded position said second and third legs being on opposite sides of and adjacent said first leg and in said unfolded position said legs being equally spaced from each other to support said leg-support means above the-floor and inner ends of said top portions facing inward to define a spindle-receiving opening;

stop-plate means between said top and bottom plates for engaging sides of the top portions of said second and third legs when in said unfolded position to limit further pivotal movement of said second and third legs beyond said unfolded position;

a spindle;

a pivot arm connected to an end of said spindle and having an elongated slot therein;

a lateral pin extending across said side slot in said lower plate and through said elongated slot in said pivot arm for pivotally connecting said spindle to said leg-connector means for swinging movement between a position below said leg-connector means and a generally vertical upper position over said legconnector means with said spindle aligned with said central hole and said opening and further connecting said spindle for vertical movement between said upper position and a generally vertical lower position with a lower end of said spindle in said hole and said opening to lock said legs in said unfolded position;

I collar means fixed to and around said spindle for resting atop said top plate when said spindle is in said lower vertical position;

and a seat for mounting on top of said spindle when in said lower vertical position.

22. A collapsible furniture pedestal, comprising:

leg-connector means;

a plurality of legs including lateral extensions there-- from;

means connecting said legs to said leg-connector means for pivotal movement relative to each other with ends of said lateral extensions cooperatively defining a vertical spindle receiving opening;

and a spindle for mounting in a generally vertical position with an end of said spindle seated Within said opening to prevent further pivotal movement of said legs.

23. A collapsible furniture pedestal, comprising:

leg-connector means;

a plurality of legs including lateral extensions therefrom;

means connecting said legs to said leg-connector means for pivotal movement relative to each other with ends of said lateral extensions cooperatively defining a vertical spindle receiving opening;

and a spindle swingably connected to said leg-connector means for swinging movement between a position below said leg-connector to a generally vertical position with an end of said spindle seated in said opening and engaging said ends of said lateral extensions to prevent further pivotal movement of said legs.

24. A collapsible furniture pedestal, comprising:

leg-connector means;

a plurality of legs including lateral extensions therefrom;

generally vertical means connecting said legs to said leg-connector means for pivotal movement about different vertical axes with ends of said lateral extensions cooperatively defining a vertical spindle receiving opening;

and a spindle for mounting in a generally vertical position with an end of said spindle seated within said opening to prevent further pivotal movement of said legs.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 782,932 2/1905 Uhl 248-188.7 X 1,267,741 5/1918 Buck 248-166 X I 1,448,171 3/1923 Waderlow 108-150 X 1,502,629 7/1924 Hardy 248-435 1,865,323 6/1932 Liberman 248-435 X 2,026,427 12/1935 Miller 248-167 X 2,188,237 1/1940 Weaver 248-168 2,204,013 6/1940 Gaidos 248-168 2,359,821 10/1944 Black 248-371 X 2,528,950 11/1950 Engstrom 297-461 X 2,540,563 2/1951 Workman 297-461 X 2,544,615 3/1951 Raymond 248-167 X 2,568,534 9/1951 Baker 108-150 X 2,633,319 3/1953 Musial 248-168 2,653,000 9/1953 Cadwell et a1. 248-188.7 X 2,759,528 8/1956 Rachman et a1 248-371 FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Examiner.

J. T. MCCALL, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A COLLAPSIBLE FURNITURE PEDESTAL, COMPRISING: LEG-CONNECTOR MEANS; A PLURALITY OF LEGS HAVING TOP PORTION; MEANS PIVOTALLY CONNECTING SAID LEGS TO SAID LEG-CONNECTOR MEANS FOR MOVEMENT ABOUT DIFFERENT VERTICAL AXIS WITH SAID TOP PORTIONS COOPERATIVELY DEFINING A SPINDLE-RECEIVING OPENING; AND A SPINDLE FOR MOUNTING IN A GENERALLY VERTICAL POSITION WITH AN END OF SAID SPINDLE SEATED IN SAID OPENING TO PREVENT FURHER PIVOTAL MOVEMENT OF SAID LEGS. 